Decorative stopper and decorative fixture

ABSTRACT

On an end side of a post, along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinal direction of the post, there are formed ring-shaped recess portions (grooves) each having a diameter smaller than those at positions around the first position in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the grooves are formed at two positions. The stopper is provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing the post to be inserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length of a region including the ring-shaped recess portions (grooves). Along an inner periphery at a second position in the insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post, there is formed a ring-shaped projection portion. The ring-shaped projection portions are configured to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions of the post under a state in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a decorative stopper of an ornament tobe put, for example, on an earlobe of a wearer, and relates to theornament.

BACKGROUND ART

Hitherto, in general ornaments such as an earring, a decorative stemportion (such as post) is connected to a decorative body portion, and apart of the decorative stem portion, which passes through a wearingsubject (such as earlobe), is held by a stopper (back piece). In thiscase, normally, the stopper by holding the part with, the decorativestem portion can be prevented from dropping off the wearing subject.

Specifically, the ornament disclosed in Patent Literature (JapanesePatent Application Laid-open No. 2007-209674) includes a post connectedto the decorative body portion and configured to be inserted into athrough-hole formed through the wearing subject, and the stopperconfigured to hold a part of the post, the part passing through thethrough-hole. The post includes an insertion stem portion having one endconnected to the decorative body portion, and an engagement portionformed at another end of the insertion stem portion and having adiameter larger than that of the insertion stem portion in a planeorthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the insertion stem portion.Further, the stopper is made of an elastic material, and has aninsertion hole conforming to a shape of the engagement portion and of apart of the insertion stem portion, the part corresponding to apredetermined length from the engagement portion.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Incidentally, in the ornament according to Patent Literature 1, thediameter of the another end of the post is larger than that of theinsertion stem portion, and the insertion hole of the stopper has a sizein accordance therewith.

However, posts of, for example, general widespread earrings may includering-shaped grooves that are formed near the another end of theinsertion stem portion, and each have a diameter smaller in horizontalcross-section than those at positions therearound in the longitudinaldirection. Thus, there is a problem of inconvenience in that the stoppercannot be used as stoppers for other ornaments.

Further, there is a request for holding the post more stably with thestopper such that the post is prevented from dropping off.

The present invention has been made in view of the related-art problemsdescribed above, and to achieve an object of providing a decorativestopper and an ornament, the decorative stopper being capable ofeffectively preventing a post connected to a decorative body portion andconfigured to pass through a wearing subject from dropping off, andbeing capable of holding posts of other general widespread accessories.

Solution to Problem

According to the present invention, there is provided a decorativestopper configured to hold another end of a post having one endconnected to a decorative body portion, the another end being configuredto pass through a through-hole formed through a wearing subject, thedecorative stopper including a stopper body that is made of an elasticmaterial and is provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing thepost to be inserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length ofa region including a recess portion formed on the another end side ofthe post along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinaldirection of the post, the recess portion having a diameter smaller thandiameters at positions around the first position in the longitudinaldirection, the stopper body including a projection portion that isformed along an inner periphery at a second position in the insertionhole in an insertion direction of the post, and is configured to befitted into the recess portion of the post under a state in which thepost is inserted into the insertion hole.

It is preferred that, in the decorative stopper according to the presentinvention, the second position in the insertion hole in the insertiondirection include a plurality of second positions in the insertion holein the insertion direction, and the projection portion be formed alongan inner periphery at each of the plurality of second positions.

It is preferred that the decorative stopper according to the presentinvention further include a guide portion configured to guide the postinto an opening portion of the insertion hole on a side where the postis inserted, the guide portion being formed around the opening portion.

It is preferred that the decorative stopper according to the presentinvention further include a decorative member fixed to the stopper body.

It is preferred that the insertion hole of the decorative stopperaccording to the present invention be formed through the stopper body.

It is preferred that the insertion hole of the decorative stopperaccording to the present invention be formed within the stopper body.

It is preferred that the elastic material according to the presentinvention be silicone rubber.

According to the present invention, there is provided an ornamentincluding: a decorative body portion; a post configured to pass througha through-hole formed through a wearing subject; and a stopperconfigured to hold a part of the post, the part passing through thethrough-hole, the post having one end connected to the decorative bodyportion, and including a recess portion formed on another end side ofthe post along an outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinaldirection of the post, the recess portion having a diameter smaller thandiameters at positions around the first position in the longitudinaldirection, the stopper including a stopper body that is made of anelastic material and is provided with an insertion hole capable ofallowing the post to be inserted into the insertion hole by apredetermined length of a region including the recess portion, thestopper body including a projection portion that is formed along aninner periphery at a second position in the insertion hole in aninsertion direction of the post, and is configured to be fitted into therecess portion of the post under a state in which the post is insertedinto the insertion hole.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, a decorative stopper and an ornamentcan be provided, the decorative stopper being capable of effectivelypreventing a post connected to a decorative body portion and configuredto pass through a wearing subject from dropping off, and being capableof holding posts of other general widespread accessories.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which an ornamentaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention is put on awearing subject.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a vicinity of a distal end of apost illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a stopper illustrated in FIG. 1 (withoutthe post 3 to be attached thereto).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a stopper of an ornament according to asecond embodiment of the present invention (without the post to beattached thereto).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a stopper of an ornament according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a stopper of an ornament according tostill another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, ornaments according to embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which an ornament 1according to a first embodiment of the present invention is put on awearing subject 5. FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a vicinity ofa distal end of a post 3 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectionalview of a stopper 4 illustrated in FIG. 1 (without the post 3 to beattached thereto).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ornament 1 includes a decorative bodyportion 2, specifically, the post 3 (insertion portion) and the stopper(stopper body, that is, back piece) 4. The ornament 1 is put on througha through-hole 5 a formed through the wearing subject 5.

The decorative body portion 2 serves as a decorative part located on afront side of the wearing subject 5, that is, located on a most visiblepart of the ornament 1. The wearing subject 5 is, for example, anearlobe of a wearer.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the post 3 has one end connected to thedecorative body portion 2 through, for example, integral formation orwelding.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, on another end side of the post 3, along outerperipheries at first positions in a longitudinal direction of the post3, there are formed ring-shaped recess portions (grooves) 21 each havinga diameter smaller than those at positions around the first position inthe longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped recessportions 21 are formed at two positions.

A shape of the post 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a general shapewidespread worldwide.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the stopper 4 has an insertion hole 4 acapable of allowing the post 3 to be inserted thereinto by apredetermined length of a region including the ring-shaped recessportions 21. In the stopper 4, the insertion hole 4 a is formed throughthe stopper body.

Along inner peripheries at second positions in the insertion hole 4 a inan insertion direction of the post 3, there are formed ring-shapedprojection portions 41. The ring-shaped projection portions 41 areconfigured to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of thepost 3 under a state in which the post 3 is inserted into the insertionhole 4 a. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped projection portions 41 areformed at four positions in the insertion hole 4 a.

The stopper 4 is made of an elastic material (such as silicone rubber).

Depending on a thickness of the wearing subject 5, an insertion positionof the post 3 in the insertion hole 4 a is determined.

When the wearing subject 5 is thick, a length of a part of the post 3,which is located in the insertion hole 4 a, is small. Thus, thering-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3 are fitted into ones of thering-shaped projection portions 41, the ones being closer to an openingportion 4 a 1 on an insertion side in the stopper 4.

Meanwhile, when the wearing subject 5 is thin, the length of the part ofthe post 3, which is located in the insertion hole 4 a, is large. Thus,the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3 are fitted into ones ofthe ring-shaped projection portions 41, the ones being farther from theopening portion 4 a 1 on the insertion side in the stopper 4.

Near the opening portion 4 a 1 on the insertion side in the insertionhole 4 a of the stopper 4, there is formed a guide surface (taperedsurface) 4 b configured to guide the post 3 into the opening portion 4 a1. By virtue of the formation of such a guide surface 4 b, at the timeof the insertion, the distal end of the post 3 abuts against the guidesurface 4 b and is guided into the opening portion 4 a 1. In this way,the post 3 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 4 a of thestopper 4.

Further, by virtue of the formation of such a guide surface 4 b, thepost 3 can be inserted even when an inner diameter of the insertion hole4 a is reduced. Thus, the post 3 can be more stably held in theinsertion hole 4 a, and hence the post 3 can be effectively restrainedfrom dropping off the insertion hole 4 a.

As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1, the stopper 4 is fixed to adecorative member 47 such as a pearl. A type of the decorative member 47is not particularly limited.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stopper 4 is fixed to the decorativemember 47 in a manner that the guide surface 4 b is located on anoutside of the decorative member 47. With this, the post 3 is easilyinserted into the insertion hole 4 a with use of the guide surface 4 b.

According to the configuration of the ornament 1, the post 3 is easilyinserted into the stopper 4, and the post 3 is less liable to drop offthe stopper 4. With this simple configuration, the ornament 1 can beprevented from dropping off the wearing subject 5. Specifically, byvirtue of the formation of the guide surface 4 b near the openingportion 4 a 1 of the stopper 4, at the time of the insertion, the distalend of the post 3 abuts against the guide surface 4 b and is guided intothe opening portion 4 a 1. In this way, the post 3 can be easilyinserted into the insertion hole 4 a of the stopper 4. Further, byvirtue of the formation of such a guide surface 4 b, the post 3 can beinserted even when the inner diameter of the insertion hole 4 a isreduced. Thus, a stability of the post 3 held in the insertion hole 4 ais increased. With this, the post 3 can be effectively restrained fromdropping off the insertion hole 4 a.

Further, according to the ornament 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2, thering-shaped projection portions 41 in the insertion hole 4 a of thestopper 4 were formed in conformity with the general widespread shape ofthe post 3.

With this, also when the stopper 4 is used in a large number of generalornaments widespread worldwide, the post can be stably held. Asdescribed above, according to the ornament 1, the post 3 can beprevented from dropping off the wearing subject, and can be used forholding posts of other general widespread accessories.

Further, according to the ornament 1, the distal end of the post 3 doesnot protrude to the rear of the wearing subject 5. Thus, damage to theneck of a wearer, an object, or the like located on the rear can beprevented.

In this way, with the simple configuration of the ornament according tothis embodiment, drop-off can be prevented, and safety can be enhanced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a stopper (stopper body) 104 of anornament according to a second embodiment of the present invention(without the post 3 to be attached thereto).

The stopper 104 is provided with an insertion hole 104 a capable ofallowing a part of the post 3, which corresponds to a predeterminedlength of a region including the ring-shaped recess portions 21, to beinserted thereinto. The insertion hole 104 a is formed within thestopper body.

Along inner peripheries at second positions in the insertion hole 104 ain the insertion direction of the post 3, there are formed ring-shapedprojection portions 141. The ring-shaped projection portions 141 areconfigured to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of thepost 3 under a state in which the post 3 is inserted into the insertionhole 104 a. In this embodiment, the ring-shaped projection portions 141are formed at four positions in the insertion hole 104 a.

The decorative member 47 is not fixed to the stopper 104 unlike, forexample, the first embodiment. Thus, the stopper 104 is used while beingexposed to the outside.

Also according to this embodiment, advantages similar to those of thefirst embodiment can be obtained.

Specifically, also in the stopper 104, a guide surface 104 b is formednear an opening portion 104 a 1. With this, at the time of theinsertion, the distal end of the post 3 abuts against the guide surface104 b and is guided into the opening portion 104 a 1. In this way, thepost 3 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 104 a of thestopper 104. Further, by virtue of the formation of such a guide surface104 b, the post 3 can be inserted even when an inner diameter of theinsertion hole 104 a is reduced. Thus, the post 3 can be more stablyheld in the insertion hole 104 a, and hence the post 3 can beeffectively restrained from dropping off the insertion hole 104 a.

Further, according to this embodiment, the distal end of the post 3 doesnot protrude to the rear of the wearing subject 5. Thus, damage to theneck of a wearer, an object, or the like located on the rear can beprevented.

In this way, with the simple configuration of the ornament according tothis embodiment, drop-off can be prevented, and safety can be enhanced.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

Specifically, those skilled in the art may make various modifications,combinations, sub-combinations, and alterations of the components of theabove-described embodiments within the technical scope of the presentinvention or the equivalents thereof.

More specifically, there may be employed, for example, a stopper 204having a shape illustrated in FIG. 5. The stopper 204 is provided withan insertion hole 204 a formed through the stopper 204. The post 3 isinserted into the insertion hole 204 a.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the stopper 204 is provided with aguide surface 204 b. In addition, ring-shaped projection portions 241are formed along an inner periphery of the insertion hole 204 a.

Still further, there may be employed, for example, a stopper 304 havinga shape illustrated in FIG. 6. The stopper 304 is provided with aninsertion hole 304 a formed through the stopper 304. The post 3 isinserted into the insertion hole 304 a.

Further, as in the second embodiment, the stopper 304 is provided with aguide surface 304 b. In addition, ring-shaped projection portions 341are formed along an inner periphery of the insertion hole 304 a.

Yet further, for example, the number and the shape of the ring-shapedgrooves 21 of the post 3, and the numbers and the shapes of thering-shaped projection portions 41, 141, 241, and 341 of the stoppers 4,104, 204, and 304 are not particularly limited to those in the scope ofthe present invention, the scope being specified in “Claims.”

Yet further, in the cases exemplified in the embodiments describedabove, heights of the ring-shaped projection portions 41, 141, 241, and341 to be fitted into the ring-shaped recess portions 21 of the post 3under the state in which the post 3 is inserted into the insertion hole4 a, 104 a, 204 a, or 304 a are set equal to each other. However, forexample, heights of ones of the ring-shaped projection portions 41, 141,241, and 341, which are closer to the opening portion on the insertionside, may be set larger.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is an ornament to be put, for example, on anearlobe of a wearer.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 ornament-   2 decorative body portion-   3 post-   4, 104, 204, 304 stopper-   4 a, 104 a, 204 a, 304 a insertion hole-   41, 141, 241, 341 ring-shaped projection portion-   5 wearing subject-   5 a through-hole-   21 ring-shaped recess portion

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A decorative stopper configured to hold another endof a post having one end connected to a decorative body portion, theanother end being configured to pass through a through-hole formedthrough a wearing subject, the decorative stopper comprising: a stopperbody that is made of an elastic material and is provided with aninsertion hole capable of allowing the post to be inserted into theinsertion hole by a predetermined length of a region including a recessportion formed on another end side of the post along an outer peripheryat a first position in a longitudinal direction of the post, the recessportion having a diameter smaller than diameters at positions around thefirst position in the longitudinal direction, the stopper body includinga projection portion that is formed along an inner periphery at a secondposition in the insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post,and is configured to be fitted into the recess portion of the post undera state in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.
 10. Thedecorative stopper according to claim 9, wherein the second position inthe insertion hole in the insertion direction includes a plurality ofsecond positions in the insertion hole in the insertion direction, andwherein the projection portion is formed along an inner periphery ateach of the plurality of second positions.
 11. The decorative stopperaccording to claim 9, further comprising a guide portion configured toguide the post into an opening portion of the insertion hole on a sidewhere the post is inserted, the guide portion being formed around theopening portion.
 12. The decorative stopper according to claim 9,further comprising a decorative member fixed to the stopper body. 13.The decorative stopper according to claim 9, wherein the insertion holeis formed through the stopper body.
 14. The decorative stopper accordingto claim 9, wherein the insertion hole is formed within the stopperbody.
 15. The decorative stopper according to claim 9, wherein theelastic material is silicone rubber.
 16. An ornament, comprising: adecorative body portion; a post configured to pass through athrough-hole formed through a wearing subject; and a stopper configuredto hold a part of the post, the part passing through the through-hole,the post having one end connected to the decorative body portion, andincluding a recess portion formed on another end side of the post alongan outer periphery at a first position in a longitudinal direction ofthe post, the recess portion having a diameter smaller than diameters atpositions around the first position in the longitudinal direction, thestopper including a stopper body that is made of an elastic material andis provided with an insertion hole capable of allowing the post to beinserted into the insertion hole by a predetermined length of a regionincluding the recess portion, the stopper body including a projectionportion that is formed along an inner periphery at a second position inthe insertion hole in an insertion direction of the post, and isconfigured to be fitted into the recess portion of the post under astate in which the post is inserted into the insertion hole.